This ornament depicting the nativity scene will rival even pricey store-bought decor. You can make it yourself, since it's an easy and inexpensive project.

Steps

1

Select a half SmoothFoam Ball. This foam is the harder solid form that has a smooth feel to it. The ball can be any size. SmoothFoam is used here because it's durable and doesn't crumble or scratch as easy as the regular Styrofoam. Also, the finished project will not collapse from the inside under the weight of the trimmings, coverings and if you press on it too hard or sit, or step on it by accident.

If the ball is not already halved, get a saw or serrated knife saw it in half. It doesn't have to be perfect. Look for a seam line that perfectly divides the ball in half equally, and cut along that line as straight as possible. Saw and sand the uneven cuts and edges with sandpaper as needed.

2

Improve the texture of the surface on the curve side (optional). SmoothFoam has a "fake Rolex Watch" or reptile egg texture not really suitable for Christmas. There are countless ways to do this.

If the ball is to be completely covered with glitter move on to next step.Same for anything that'll cover the texture.

Cover the ball with plaster, speckle, moulding paste etc. Get creative with textures using various methods and techniques .

Get sandpaper and rub it against the foam. Do this until the original texture is not seen.

Different grades of sandpaper produce different textures on the foam. Also experiment with other scrapping tools like nail files or wire brushes.

Coarse sandpaper will give the foam a rough rocky look.

Medium sandpaper to fine sandpaper will give a more sugary or sandy textured ball.

Ultra fine sandpaper can give a very fine smooth texture like a pearl.

3

Cover the curve side of the ornament with glitter, paint, (optional). The ornaments here were painted but other items and techniques can be used. Unless using the flat side as a background for a lacy or open design nativity scene leave this blank. Make sure this covering is suitable for attaching the nativity scene.

For rough balls and glitter paint: Daub paint from the tube on a section and spread the paint over with the brush over half or fourth whatever suits you the best until that section is covered. Let that dry and repeat the step on a different section until the ball is covered. For white spots that are peeking through dip a soft brush in paint and push the paint into the crevices that are what is peeking through. Let dry.

For smooth pearl balls: Put a small daub of paint on the top the dome and with a sponge brush press down and drag the paint to the bottom. Go to another spot and repeat until the ball is covered. Try also a very soft bristle brush but this will not be as smooth as the sponge brush and leave stroke lines in the paint finish. Let the paint dry. Once it dries use the ultra fine sandpaper or a scouring pad and gently rub the ball buffing out paint lines bumps until it's perfectly smooth. Wipe the crumbs with a soft brush or cloth and repeat the painting process and buffing again and again until the ball get's a reflective quality like a pearl when dry.

Another good idea is pinning beads, buttons and other decorative things to the ball until the curve edge is completely covered. Try covering the curve edge with fabric.

Cut a nativity scene out and paste it on the flat end of the ball. Use a thick, heavy duty glue that won't melt the foam. If using hot glue use the low temp versions or settings. Some glues just don't work. So experiment on scrap foam and paper before using on the main project.

Look around for nativity scene pictures in a number of religious books, children's religious books, magazines or in Christmas song books. You can find religious Christmas cards. Another good idea is to find nativity fabric or jewelry and pin/glue that on as well. Also look for nativity art on the web to print and download.

Some Christmas cards have a glossy finish that can distract from the picture. Remedy this with some card de-glossing solvent sold in craft stores.

Some stiffer and thicker papers and cards like in some children books are difficult to cut. Use heavy duty scissors or a crafts knife.Try copying them via machine or just use the thinner and softer ones instead. Also resizing to the perfect size on the printer/computer can be a hassle.

Some thicker cards are really a number of thin layers that can be peeled apart.

Thicker as well slicker, glossy papers don't stick easily to foam directly. Try roughing the back up before gluing with sandpaper for better adherence or glue it on a rougher paper that'll adhere to the foam better. Also press down on the paper for a few minutes to let the glue get a chance to grab and set.

As for positioning the picture on the ball, there are many ways to do this:

Trace the circle of the ball on the picture after measuring and editing the elements you want in the picture on the ornament. Trim the circle a wee bit smaller and glue.

Cut out figures from the picture and glue them on the painted background alone or as a collage.

5

Seal the ornament with sealant (optional). Good quality paint is pretty much permanent and water resistant. But if you feel if you need too protect a precious sentimental card, glitter coatings, or the whole ornament use Modge Podge or any water based sealant approved for Styrofoam and following the instructions on the package to protect the ornament.

It's a good idea to seal finishes with glitter so the glitter doesn't fall off the ornament leaving it bare or end up all over the place.Sealing a picture will protect it from looking beat up over time and also will protect it in case there's a spill, water, which will help it last for years.

6

Trim the edge of the flat side with decorative trimmings. Make sure the trimming fits around the edge easily. Gathered lace ruffling makes a really pretty edge. Also make sure to cut enough length of trimming to go around the edge and extra before gluing. It's easier to cut away an extra inch than having to add that missing inch later.

A grand effect is created by placing a very wide lacy or pleated fringe (1 to 2 inches wide) around first then a narrower denser one on the inner edge of the first framing material.

7

Attach an loop for hanging (optional). Use one of many ways to attach a loop for hanging if the ornament is to be hung.

Dip a decorative straight pin in the glue or add a bead to the pin press almost all the way into the ball. Take a cord or ribbon and tie in a bow or slipknot around the pin beneath the bead then press the pin into the ornament. You can also pin though the hanging material or through the knot of a ribbon or cord.

Press a hairpin or jewelry hook into the foam deeply. Dip the pin to the glue first before inserting. Leave the loop or hook poking out. Hook an ornament hook through this loop like a tradition glass ball ornament.

Repeat the first suggestion only pressing the pin all the way into the ball then filling this indentation with speckle and smoothing it out. Allow the speckle to set and cure before hanging.

Community Q&A

Tips

Instead of hanging these ornaments try displaying them in a plate mount then place them on the mantel, shelves, or as part of a table scape. Consider hanging from chandeliers,sconces, nails, and from the ceiling. Or display them in bowl with glass balls as focal points.

Always experiment a paint or glue product on the foam to see what results on a piece of scrap paper and foam. This way you know what to expect and rather or not to use a certain glue or paint on an ornament. There are some water-based glues and paints that also aren't safe for the foam.

Try to keep the coats of paint thin. The foam needs to breath and heavy coats may melt the foam. Also thick coats will crack, not stick to the foam and warp as well as not be able to take the glue well or be slower to dry. However this varies via brand of paint and the room temperature.

Metallic acrylic paints start milky and dull colored when wet. They turn shiny and brilliant after being completely dry.

If the trimming is slick (like cords made of silk or satin) and/or refuses to stay in place use sewing pins or stud earrings with ends dipped in glue stuck through that trimming in a series to hold it in place. You can also add beads or sequins to give the pins a decorative touch.

Sometimes you placed trimming on the ornament and find a mistake in measuring and the ends don't meet up or there's an ugly frayed edge on the trimming. Get a large flattened bead, sequin, rhinestone, and glue or pin it over the ends. You can also pin large beads or smaller sequins, rhinestones in a series to cover the edges.

Use other creative variations. The theme can be anything Christmas. Paint the ball in other metallic colors. Mix Copper with Gold paint to get Rose Gold. Mix Silver and Gold Paint to get White Gold. Embellish the ornament with a tiny bow on the ornament frame or attach a tassel on the bottom. Consider making them using SmoothFoam Eggs.

Keep the width of the trimmings in scale with the size of an ornament. A large ornament will make a single tiny baby lace trimming look lost. Wide trimmings can easily swallow up and overwhelm a small ornament.

Look for trimmings that show the picture off best and go with it's style. If the scene has flowers palms or Old Masters feel to it use very ornate trimmings. Angels and doves can really look nice with a lacy frame.Use also colors that contrast or harmonize with those in the pictures. Use this mindset with the texture of the ball as well.

Give your ornaments a sense of continuity by selecting pictures with similar artistic style or backgrounds.

Choose pins whenever possible that match the color of the ball or contrast to it. You can always spray paint pins to obtain a color that suits the ball.

Make sure the wire and pins can support the weight of the finished ornament if hung. Some trimmings weigh more than others. Use thicker wires for heavier ornaments and dip them in glue and push firmly into the ball so they don't slip and slide out the ornament.

Warnings

Keep Styrofoam away from heat! It's very flammable and gives off fumes when heated. If using hot glue gun or hot wax for vanishing make sure its low temp or lukewarm and won't burn the foam or the materials on it.

Some glues will dissolve the foam and give off fumes as well. Also the glues themselves can be flammable, be irritating and harmful to skin or eyes, the fumes can be very harmful to health if inhaled.